The day bid farewell in golden hues, painting the school windows with a soft, nostalgic glow. The hallway was almost empty, the hurried footsteps of the few remaining students echoing in the distance. But Rika, as always, moved at her own pace.
Her long indigo hair swayed gently as she walked, her light steps seeming more like skips than actual hurried paces. There was a charming serenity in her movements, as if the world's rush had no effect on her.
She hummed softly to herself, her gentle smile adding an even more angelic touch to the scene, until a timid, drawn-out voice came from behind, hesitant, almost pleading:
"A-Au au au~ Rika... We need to talk about something..."
Rika stopped, turning on her heels lightly, as if dancing to an invisible melody. Her gaze landed on the small figure of Hanyuu, who was shrinking in on herself, her face already flushed red before she even finished the sentence.
"What do you want to talk about, Hanyuu?" Her sweet voice carried an almost disarming naturalness.
Hanyuu hesitated, bringing a hand to her chin, her small fingers tapping lightly against her skin as she gathered the courage to continue.
"Well... Err... We need to talk about... Your relationship with Ryan..."
Rika tilted her head slightly, as if she didn't understand the concern. But then, her eyes lit up with joy.
"Ah! I'm so happy he asked me to stay with him tonight! Mii~"
Hanyuu pursed her lips, looking away with even more embarrassment before murmuring:
"Rika... You know we share senses, right...? So... About that..." She swallowed hard, her small hands clenching the fabric of her own dress. "A-Au au au~ What I mean is... When he touches you... I feel it too!"
Rika brought a finger to her face, thoughtful, but her expression remained serene.
"Yes, I know. You can relax, Hanyuu. I'm not jealous of that!"
The little Goddess jumped in frustration, stamping her foot on the ground like a petulant child.
"That's not the point! Auauau~!"
Rika chuckled softly, observing how Hanyuu shrank even further, her cheeks practically glowing with embarrassment.
Hanyuu, unable to continue facing the conversation directly, hid her face in the long sleeves of her shrine maiden dress. Her voice came softly, trembling with hesitation.
"It's just... I feel out of place..." Her eyes shone slightly, lost somewhere in the distance, as if she were trying to better understand her own feelings.
Rika's smile softened. She took a step forward, her hair fluttering in the breeze that passed through the hallway.
"We've been connected for so long... That I can't see my life without you." Her voice was calm, almost melancholy, as if carrying an understanding that went beyond words. "So... Why don't we talk about this together? The three of us."
Hanyuu's eyes widened, her face completely flushed.
"A-Are you sure?"
Rika nodded firmly.
"Let's go. Yuno won't like being kept waiting!"
And, as if there were no doubt in her heart, she turned on her heels and walked down the hallway, her hurried and cheerful steps making her long hair sway like a bluish cascade.
"Wait for me! Auauauau~!" The puppy-Goddess dashed after her, floating hastily.
On the school roof
Rika climbed the stairs with the same animation as before, opening the door to the roof with a sparkle in her eyes, as if she were eager to see Yuno.
And there she was. Leaning against the railing, arms crossed, her gaze lost in the landscape that was tinged with orange.
"Hmm... You're right on time..." Yuno turned to face her, a gentle smile on her lips, but there was something more in her eyes. "I don't know if your punctuality comes from the fact that you're a hard-working girl or..." Her voice slowed, almost hesitant. "If it's because you're excited to see Ryan..."
Rika approached, holding her backpack in front of her body like a little girl guarding a precious secret.
"I won't lie, I'm excited to see him! Miii~" Her smile was carefree, as if she hadn't caught the nuance in Yuno's tone.
But then, her eyes softened a little.
"Is he really better?"
Yuno sighed, closing her eyes for a brief moment before crossing her arms firmly.
"Enough to make stupid jokes."
Rika chuckled softly.
"Can we stop by us house first? I want to get some clothes."
Yuno furrowed her brow.
"You... Are you really going to sleep there again?" Her voice got lower at the end of the sentence.
Rika tilted her head to the side, placing a finger on her face while smiling smugly.
"You... Are you worried about your sister?"
Yuno's face contorted into an adorable pout as she looked away, not answering, but making the answer obvious.
Rika loved this side of her. It was rare, but whenever it emerged, it became a little treasure to be savored.
"You know..." Rika began, changing her tone of voice on purpose. "It's been a while since I've had anything to drink..."
Yuno immediately straightened up, like a kitten that just heard a suspicious noise.
"N-No way! I'm not buying anything alcoholic for you again!"
Rika laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as the breeze ruffled her locks.
"Why? Are you afraid of your older sister losing her composure? Or..." She cast a provocative look. "Could it be that you're jealous because I'm going to be with Ryan?" Her voice came out so calm, so natural, that Yuno's response came before she could think.
"Of course I am..."
The silence that followed was long. Longer than it should have been.
Then, Yuno's eyes widened.
"W-Wait! I meant I'm worried about you! Not jealous of that guy!" She started gesturing hastily, trying to erase what had just come out of her mouth.
"Why would I care what that idiot does? Hmph!" She crossed her arms and closed her eyes tightly. "He better not be crazy enough to do anything bad to you."
Rika brought a hand to her face, her eyes shining with pure amusement.
"Mii~ Actually, I want him to do bad things to me..."
"RIKA!"
Yuno's shriek came thin and desperate, her face turning a deep red as she looked incredulously at Rika, who only laughed, satisfied with her successful provocation.
Rika smiled, bringing her hand delicately to her lips as her laughter escaped like a tinkling bell. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, absorbing every little reaction from Yuno with an almost mischievous charm.
"Sorry, Yuno, hehe~" She tilted her head slightly, still chuckling softly. "But you're so cute when you're like this."
Yuno clicked her tongue, her expression alternating between irritation and embarrassment. With a sharp movement, she grabbed Rika's shoulder, trying to cut off the joke before it got out of hand.
"L-Let's go get your clothes!" Her voice carried an exaggerated urgency, as if she wanted to escape her own embarrassment.
Rika just kept smiling, letting herself be dragged along without resistance, as if she were enjoying every moment.
…
Ryan's house exuded a sweet and inviting aroma. The heat from the oven filled the kitchen as he, with a slightly wrinkled apron and a satisfied smile, removed a tray of chocolate chip cookies. His TV was playing a song by his beloved Idol... HATSUNE MIKU!, and his voice accompanied the melody in a relaxed way, swaying his body from side to side to the rhythm of the music.
"Will you be pure-pure-hearted until you die? Love blah blah blah~ ♫"
Ryan was swaying from side to side to the rhythm of DECO*27's Rabbit Hole.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he waited for the chorus to finally arrive. With the tray of cookies in hand, he prepared for the moment he had been waiting for.
"This part is so good!"
"One more chance! ♫~"
But, before he could revel in the climax of the song, a silhouette interrupted his view. Yuno appeared right in front of the TV, her hands firmly planted on her hips, the sound of her shoes echoing across the floor as she spun to face him. The vibration of the music was completely broken.
Ryan blinked, stunned by the sudden interruption.
"Seriously...? Listening to Hatsune Miku?" Yuno arched an eyebrow, her voice laden with disdain, although there was a hint of weariness in the way she sighed.
Rika, beside her, tilted her head slightly, her curious eyes fixed on the TV screen. "Miku?" Her voice carried an innocent sweetness as she watched the Rabbit Hole clip, where the virtual idol danced in a bunny outfit.
Yuno snorted, crossing her arms. "Yeah... A virtual idol with the worst diction I've ever heard."
Ryan, without missing a beat, placed the cookies on the table and pointed an accusing finger at Yuno, a smug smile plastered on his face.
"But! You've heard of her!"
He cast a provocative look, waiting for a reaction. Rika, on the other hand, just nodded gently to him, with a serene and angelic smile. Yuno already narrowed her eyes, analyzing his posture before muttering suspiciously:
"You... Just made a Jack Sparrow reference?"
Ryan blinked, his expression lighting up. "I did. Want a cookie? I made them myself!"
Yuno looked at him for a moment, pondering her answer, before simply ignoring him. "Anything, call me, Rika. And don't forget to text Mom too. You know she likes to know how you are."
And, before Ryan could answer, Yuno disappeared as quickly as she had arrived.
Ryan chuckled softly, turning to Rika. "That girl is practically an Enderman... Only pink."
Rika laughed softly before sliding closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist with an almost feline delicacy. "Enderman? What's that?"
The way her curious voice sounded sweet and charming would make even the hardest heart soften. Ryan ran his hand through Rika's long, straight hair, enjoying the softness as he replied:
"A creature that's almost peaceful, but if you look directly into its eyes... Well, it'll want to kill you."
Rika smiled against his chest, her eyes closing briefly as she enjoyed the embrace. "You need to introduce me to these things you talk about so much! And I also want to end Dark Souls!"
Ryan pulled away slightly just to look her in the eyes before kissing her forehead affectionately. "We'll have the whole night to be together... This time, just one night, since I swore not to use my time-traveling powers."
Rika looked up at the TV, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Hey... Is that Hatsune Miku the one you always say looks like me?"
Ryan smiled, nodding. "Exactly! So? What do you think of her?"
Rika watched the screen intently, her lips curving into a smile as a slight blush crept onto her cheeks. "Mmm..."
Ryan's eyes widened when he realized that the clip was still showing Miku in her daring bunny outfit. "Err... I guess this outfit isn't the best example."
He quickly switched to Romeo and Cinderella, where Miku appeared in a more delicate look. "Here she is cuter!"
Rika, still hugging his waist, smiled sideways. "Mii~ Now I think I can see the resemblance."
But then, as if remembering something important, Rika's gaze became slightly more mischievous. "Buuut... Today you'll need to remember that you don't just have me to pay attention to..."
Ryan arched an eyebrow, confused. "Don't just have you? But... Yuno just took off..."
Rika puffed out her cheeks, raising her eyes to him with a slightly impatient expression. "Ryan... How can you forget about her, huh?"
He frowned, clearly lost, until a soft, timid sound caught his attention.
"Au~ Au~"
Ryan turned his head slowly and blinked when he saw Hanyuu a little further away, swaying her shoulders slightly, her face flushed red as she looked at him hesitantly. At first, her image seemed somewhat blurry, but as he focused, he could see her clearly.
His eyes widened in sudden realization. "Holy shit, I forgot about the puppy goddess!"
__________________
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